Congress enacted a federal complement to state hate crime penalty-enhancement statutes
in the 1994 crime bill. This provision required the United States Sentencing Commission to
increase the penalties for crimes in which the victim was selected "because of the
actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability,
or sexual orientation of any person." This measure applies, inter alia, to
attacks and vandalism which occur in national parks and on federal property.

In May, 1995, the United States Sentencing Commission announced its implementation of a
three-level sentencing guidelines increase for hate crimes, as directed by Congress. This
amendment took effect on November 1, 1995.